Yes

by Sonja Romnus

Created on: February 09, 2009   Last Updated: February 16, 2009

"Should America pay restitution to the descendants of slaves?", I believe shouldn't be a question in this day in age, but a chapter in a current history book sitting on desk across the United States whose subtitle reads: "Why and How Restitution to Slave Descendants Came to be in the US". If we take one moment to allow ourselves to be stripped of the misinformation taught in schools across America we could view this question with our "eyes wide open". Answers between whites and blacks of America will vary significantly, and this is not due to lack of compassion or oversight, but simply that of "ignorance".

First and foremost, there are disparities that currently exist in the United States due to slavery. Slavery didn't just enslave the body of the slave; but the mind of those belonging to the black and minority groups. Whether, applying for employment, a mortgage, or a personal loan the divide amongst applicants belonging to the black or a minority group although the line is invisible is clear to see. This is mostly due to education, employment, health, and familial disparities that still separate the two groups some 200 years after slavery.

It is impossible to conceive what it is like to wake up as a black man, woman or child daily unless you are that man, woman or child. From individual to institutional discrimination blacks and other minorities are on the receiving end almost daily. We live in a society that allows for the socio economic landscape to exist as such almost if out of necessity to maintain a balance. If challenged to list 20 Advantages of Being Black/ Minority in America I am sure the list would not surpass five. However, if challenged to list 20 Disadvantages of Being Black/ Minority in America it would take less than five minutes to complete.

When deciding whether or not and how restitution should be extended to descendants of slaves, there are many factors that come into play. Deciding who the descendants are is a challenge in itself, but one that can be overcome with thorough examination and record keeping practice and appointment of a counsel to do such. Once in action, this is no easy task as it will open a floodgate. America will be on record for turning back history by admitting to the wrongdoings of their ancestors. Arrogance is one reason that slavery and reparations is not a topic for much discussion today. It is that same arrogance that has not led to a formal apology by the United States Government, but rather a few Health Care Companies and other Corporations whose empires were founded and raised upon slavery. Can we only hold the U.S at fault when so many other allies were alongside America in the slave trade? What would be their joint financial responsibility?

After deciding who the descendants are, and who owes what; a form of distribution would need to be set in place. Lump sum payments would have an immediate affect on the U.S and world economy, so therefore a structured socio-economic service would have to be formed. Many have proposed the formation of an independent group to oversee and carry out the distribution. A group separate than that of those that assisted identifying the descendants. This group would form an umbrella under which services to descendants would exist. This would lessen the gap of disparities and the plight of the descendants of slavery.

Imagine, if you would inner city schools receiving funds that would allow for the same education afforded in a suburb, trust fund and endowment programs for health care, post secondary education, housing development and obtainment, small business loans, education loan forgiveness programs, daycare, and preschool programs that are substantial extended to descendants of slaves. Would this change the ever widening gap between incomes, housing, education and health? There are many that believe it to be so, but if it is never attempted the narrower the margin for success.

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